Reel-type slot machine

ABSTRACT

Each of a plurality of reels has an outer peripheral face and an inner peripheral face. A plural kinds of symbols are provided on the outer peripheral face of each of the reels, the symbols including at least one group of special symbols having identical shapes and different colors. An illuminator selectively emits at least one of plural colors of light to illuminate the inner peripheral face of at least one of the reels. A controller spins and stops the reels while controlling the illuminator such that the colors of the special symbols are not ascertained by a player when the at least one reel is spun, and each of the special symbols are illuminated with one of the plural colors of light pursuant to a predetermined rule, when the at least one reel is stopped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a reel-type slot machine.

[0002] Slot machines are classified into reel-type slot machines havingmechanical spinning reels, and video-type slot machines which variablydisplay symbols on a display device. A video-type slot machine displayssymbols on a display device on the basis of image data stored in a ROMor a like device. Hence, symbols can be displayed while their sizes andcolors are freely changed. Consequently, a presentation effect of thevideo-type slot machine is diverse, and animation can also be displayed.

[0003] A slot machine usually comprises three reels, three reel stopbuttons assigned to the respective reels, and a start lever to be usedfor starting a game. When a player lowers the start lever, all reelsstart spinning simultaneously. When the player has pressed the reel stopbuttons, the reels come to a halt. When specific symbols are stoppedalong a valid payline, a winning combination is established, whereupon awin arises. Upon occurrence of a win, a player can acquire tokens in anumber determined on the basis of the winning combination by which thewin has been determined.

[0004] Here, a win is determined in two steps. A first step is calledinternal lottery. In relation to internal lottery, random numberselection is performed at a timing at which the start level is actuated,to thereby determine a prize group in which a win is to be determined ora failure. Internal lottery information showing a result of randomselection is generated. Namely, a one-to-one correspondence arisesbetween a prize group and a winning combination, or a plurality ofwinning combinations may correspond to one prize group.

[0005] In the second step, positions at which reels are to be stoppedare controlled in accordance with actuation of the reel stop buttons.Specifically, in a case where the internal lottery informationrepresents a failure, even when a player has actuated reel stop buttonsat a timing when symbols that would constitute a certain winningcombination approach a valid payline, a control operation is performedsuch that timings at which the reels are to be stopped are delayed, tothereby hinder the symbols from coming to a halt along the validpayline. In contrast, in a case where a win has been determined for acertain prize group through internal lottery, a win is achieved when theplayer has actuated the reel stop buttons, to thereby align, along avalid payline, symbols that would constitute a winning combinationcorresponding to a prize group indicated by the internal status. Inother words, in order to acquire a win, the player must acquire a winfor a certain prize group through internal lottery and align, along avalid payline, symbols that constitute a winning combinationcorresponding to the thus-determined prize group.

[0006] In a recent reel-type slot machine, lamps are disposed at theinside of the reels, thereby radiating light onto the backs of symbols.The reel-type slot machine of this kind has a merit of ability to makesymbols conspicuous.

[0007] However, in a related-art reel-type slot machine, symbols on therespective reels are stationary, and the symbols are rotatably displayedin a circulatory manner. As compared with a video-type slot machine, thereel-type slot machine has a drawback of inability to change colors ofsymbols.

[0008] In a certain type of slot machine, a gaming status is shifted toa big bonus when BLUE 7 symbols are aligned. Further, when RED 7 symbolsare aligned, a gaming status is shifted to a super big bonus. Here, anormal big bonus means a series of games which enable a player toacquire a larger payout than in an ordinary game. A super big bonus is aseries of games which enable a player to acquire a much larger payoutthan in a normal big bonus.

[0009] Consequently, a player actuates reel stop buttons while aiming atestablishment of a super big bonus. A player who is skilled in actuatingreel stop buttons can acquire a super big bonus by aligning RED 7symbols along a predetermined payline. In contrast, a player who is notfamiliar with actuation of reel stop buttons encounters difficulty inaccurately identifying RED 7 symbols and BLUE 7 symbols and hence failsto align RED 7 symbols even while aiming at RED 7 symbols. In short, adifference in the level of skill among players leads to a greatdifference in the number of tokens which can be acquired.

[0010] Depending on specifications of a slot machine, it may bedesirable to eliminate a difference in the level of skill betweenbeginner players and advanced-level players. In a related-art slotmachine, symbols are given fixed colors, and hence the slot machinecannot eliminate the effects of a difference in skill level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide areel-type slot machine which makes a player unable to identify colors ofsymbols during the course of spinning action of reels.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, according to the presentinvention, there is provided a reel-type slot machine, comprising:

[0013] a plurality of reels, each having an outer peripheral face and aninner peripheral face;

[0014] a plural kinds of symbols, provided on the outer peripheral faceof each of the reels, the symbols including at least one group ofspecial symbols having identical shapes and different colors;

[0015] an illuminator, which selectively emits at least one of pluralcolors of light to illuminate the inner peripheral face of at least oneof the reels; and

[0016] a controller, which spins and stops the reels while controllingthe illuminator such that the colors of the special symbols are notascertained by a player when the at least one reel is spun, and each ofthe special symbols are illuminated with one of the plural colors oflight pursuant to a predetermined rule, when the at least one reel isstopped.

[0017] Consequently, the player can be inhibited from actuating reelstop buttons while aiming at specific symbols.

[0018] Preferably, the group of special symbols includes at least afirst kind of symbol related to a first type of winning combination anda second kind of symbol related to a second type of winning combination.

[0019] In this case, the player can be inhibited from aiming at specificsymbols involving payment of a large number of payouts. Hence, playerscan be wined gaming values without regard to their skills.

[0020] Preferably, the group of special symbols includes a first symbolilluminated with a first color of light and a second symbol illuminatedwith a second color of light. The controller shifts a gaming status ofthe slot machine from a first, basic gaming status to a second gamingstatus which provides higher gaming value than the first gaming status,when a winning combination involves the first symbol. The controllershifts the gaming status of the slot machine from the first gamingstatus to a third gaming status which provides higher gaming value thanthe second gaming status, when a winning combination involves the secondsymbol.

[0021] The controller may provide a gaming value corresponding to one ofthe special symbols illuminated by the determined one of the colors oflight.

[0022] Here, the term “gaming value” means any values relating to games.For instance, the gaming value includes payment of tokens or a shift toa more advantageous gaming status. For instance, the first gaming statuscorresponds to an ordinary game; the second gaming status corresponds toa normal big bonus; and the third gaming status corresponds to a superbig bonus. Further, if symbols corresponding to the normal big bonus areBLUE 7 and symbols corresponding to the super big bonus are RED 7, theplayer cannot actuate the reel stop buttons while aiming at RED 7.Hence, gaming values to be wined to players can be made equal betweenbeginner players and advanced players.

[0023] Preferably, a position of each of the special symbols on the atleast one reel is predetermined before the at least one reel is spun.The predetermined rule defines a relationship between a stop position ofthe at least one reel and a color of light emitted by the illuminator.The controller detects the stop position of the at least one reel tocontrol the illuminator with reference to the predetermined rule.

[0024] In a case where the reel is spun by a stepping motor, the stopposition of the reel can be detected based on a signal from a sensordetecting a spinning phase of the reel once per one spinning and thenumber of pulses supplied to the stepping motor.

[0025] Alternatively, the controller changes a position of at least oneof the special symbols on the at least one reel, when a predeterminedcondition is satisfied. When the reels have come to a standstill, thecolor of the specific symbols is displayed. If the specific symbols aresituated at fixed positions on the reels at all times, the player canaim at specific symbols having a high gaming value by ascertaining thecolor of the specific symbols from the types of symbols located beforeand after the specific symbols. However, if positions of the specificsymbols on the reels are changed when a certain condition has beensatisfied, the player encounters greater difficulty in aiming atspecific symbols.

[0026] Preferably, the slot machine further comprises a plurality ofstoppers, each associated with one of the reels, through which a playerinputs an instruction to stop an associated one of the reels. Thepredetermined rule defines a relationship between a position of the atleast one reel when the instruction is inputted and a color of lightemitted by the illuminator. The controller detects the position of theat least one reel when the instruction is inputted to control theilluminator with reference to the predetermined rule.

[0027] Alternatively, the slot machine further comprising:

[0028] a spin starter, through which a player inputs an instruction tospin the reels; and

[0029] a random number selector, which determines one of a plurality oflottery results including at least one special lottery resultcorresponding to the special symbols, based on a timing at which theinstruction is inputted through the spin starter, to generate internalinformation indicating the determined one of the lottery results.

[0030] The controller activates the illuminator after the at least onereel is stopped, only when the internal information indicates that thedetermined one of the lottery result is the special lottery result.

[0031] In this configuration, the color of special symbols is displayedat the stoppage of the reels only when the internal informationindicates the special lottery result. Hence, the player can ascertainthat the special winning combination has been determined by the internallottery. In general, in order to inform the player of such a result ofthe internal lottery, a custom-designed display device must be provided.However, the invention enables the player to be informed of a result ofinternal lottery by the color of specific symbols.

[0032] Alternatively, the slot machine further comprising:

[0033] a spin starter, through which a player inputs an instruction tospin the reels;

[0034] a random number selector, which determines one of a plurality oflottery results including at least one special lottery resultcorresponding to the special symbols, based on a timing at which theinstruction is inputted through the spin starter, to generate internalinformation indicating the determined one of the lottery results; and

[0035] a plurality of stoppers, each associated with one of the reels,through which the player inputs an instruction to stop an associated oneof the reels.

[0036] The controller controls the illuminator so as to subsequentlyemit the colors of light corresponding to the special symbols when theinternal information indicates the determined one of the lottery resultis the special lottery result, and controls the illuminator so as todetermine one of the colors of light when the instruction is inputtedthrough one of the stopper associated with the at least one reel.

[0037] Here, it is preferable that the controller provides a gamingvalue corresponding to one of the special symbols illuminated by thedetermined one of the colors of light.

[0038] In this configuration, occurrence of any one of combinations ofspecial symbols is left to actuation of the stoppers performed by theplayer. A pleasure totally differing from that yielded when the playeraims at the geometries of symbols during spinning of the reels can beafforded to the player. Further, a sub-game to be used for selectingspecial symbols can be offered without a necessity for a custom-designeddevice.

[0039] The following are provided as modes of control of the illuminatorduring spinning of the reels. First, the controller may deactivate theilluminator while the reels are spun. Second, the controller may controlthe illuminator so as to illuminate at least one of the special symbolswith a color of light which is different from an original color of theat least one of the special symbols. Third, the controller may controlthe illuminator so as to emit at least one of the colors of lightintermittently.

[0040] According to the present invention, there is also provided areel-type slot machine, comprising:

[0041] a plurality of reels, each having an outer peripheral face and aninner peripheral face;

[0042] a plural kinds of symbols, provided on the outer peripheral faceof each of the reels, the symbols including a first special symbolhaving a first color and a second special symbol having a second color;

[0043] an illuminator, which selectively emits at least one of pluralcolors of light to illuminate the inner peripheral face of at least oneof the reels; and

[0044] a controller, which shifts a gaming status of the slot machinefrom a first, basic gaming status to a second gaming status whichprovides higher gaming value than the first gaming status, when awinning combination involves the first symbol, and shifts the gamingstatus from the first gaming status to a third gaming status whichprovides higher gaming value than the second gaming status, when awinning combination involves the second symbol,

[0045] wherein the controller controls the illuminator so as to emit thefirst color of light such that each of the special symbols becomes thefirst special symbol.

[0046] In this case, for example, the first gaming status corresponds toan ordinary game, the second gaming status corresponds to a regularbonus, and the third gaming status corresponds to a big bonus. During abig bonus, a regular bonus can be performed a predetermined number oftimes. According to the configuration, during a big bonus, all thespecial symbols can be changed to a color corresponding to a regularbonus. Hence, a regular bonus can be readily acquired from the bigbonus.

[0047] According to the present invention, there is also provided areel-type slot machine, comprising:

[0048] a plurality of reels, each having an outer peripheral face and aninner peripheral face;

[0049] a plural kinds of symbols, provided on the outer peripheral faceof each of the reels, the symbols including a plurality kinds of specialsymbols;

[0050] an illuminator, which selectively emits at least a first color oflight and a second color of light; and

[0051] a controller, which controls the illuminator so as to emit one ofthe first color of light and the second color of light while the reelsare spun under a basic gaming status, and controls the illuminator so asto illuminate a first group of the special symbols with the first colorof light and illuminate a second group of the special symbols with thesecond color of light while the reels are spun under a special gamingstatus shifted from the basic gaming status when a predeterminedcondition is satisfied.

[0052] Preferably, the controller provides a gaming value to a player,in accordance with the number of the first group of the special symbolsaligned on a predetermined pay line when the reels are stopped under thespecial gaming status.

[0053] For instance, the special gaming status corresponds to a jackpotgame for a single bonus, and gaming values to be afforded to the playercorrespond to so-called assist time games in which a result of internallottery is reported.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] In the accompanying drawings:

[0055]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slotmachine according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0056]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of a left reeland a peripheral configuration thereof;

[0057]FIG. 3 is a descriptive view showing an example of symbols to bedisplayed on the left reel, those to be displayed on a center reel, andthose to be displayed on a right reel;

[0058]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration ofthe slot machine;

[0059]FIG. 5 is a descriptive view showing an example of contents storedin a prize group lottery table;

[0060]FIG. 6 is a descriptive view showing an example of a stop table;

[0061]FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a relationship between adetection signal, a symbol number, a drive signal, and position data;

[0062]FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of an overall slotmachine to be performed when a CPU executes a control program;

[0063]FIG. 9 is a descriptive view showing symbols to be displayedduring spinning of the reels and symbols to be displayed after stoppageof the reels;

[0064]FIG. 10 is a descriptive view showing a specific example ofchanges in symbols RED 7 and BLUE 7;

[0065]FIG. 11 is a descriptive view showing a relationship between prizegroups, winning combinations, and gaming values in a slot machineaccording to one modified example of the first embodiment;

[0066]FIG. 12 is a descriptive view showing contents stored in a prizegroup lottery table to be used for a slot machine according to a secondembodiment of the invention;

[0067]FIG. 13 is a descriptive view showing a relationship between prizegroups, winning combinations, and gaming values in a slot machineaccording to one modified example of the second embodiment;

[0068]FIG. 14 is a descriptive view showing a difference between symbolsto be displayed in an ordinary game and those to be displayed in ajackpot game; and

[0069]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the slot machineduring a period of jackpot game for a single bonus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0070] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be describedhereinbelow by reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, anexplanation is given of a case where the invention is applied to a slotmachine.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 1, a housing of a slot machine 1 according to afirst embodiment of the invention has a main unit 2 and a front door 3attached to the front of the main unit 2. A LCD (liquid crystal display)device 62 for providing a player with predetermined information isprovided at an upper portion of the front door 3. A panel displaysection D disposed at a middle portion of the front door 3 has threevertically-elongated rectangular display windows 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c.Three horizontal paylines L1 through L3 and two inclined paylines L4 andL5 are provided across the display windows 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c. Threereels; namely, a left reel R1, a center reel R2, and a right reel R3,are rotatably provided at the inside of the panel display section D,wherein a plurality of types of symbols are drawn on outer peripheralsurfaces of the respective reels. The display windows 4 a, 4 b, and 4 care formed from transparent material; e.g., acrylic resin. Therefore,the player can observe symbols on the left reel R1, those on the centerreel R2, and those on the right reel R3 by way of the respective displaywindows 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c.

[0072] Various types of symbols are printed on the surface of the leftreel R1 (i.e., a surface visible by way of the display window 4 a) asshown in FIG. 2. A shading film S for shading light is provided on theback of the left reel R1, except for a portion thereof. The area wherethe shading film S is formed does not permit transmission of light evenwhen the back of the reel is exposed to light. The shading film S is notformed in areas on the back for specific symbols, and an irregularmember P for scattering light is formed on the back of the left reel R1.In addition, areas on the back of the reel for other specific symbolsare made white and translucent. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, theirregular member P is formed within the area defined by the contour ofthe symbol “7”.

[0073] A left reel illumination unit 21 is disposed at a positioncorresponding to the display window 4 a for the left reel R1. The leftreel illumination unit 21 has three shades partitioned from each otherby walls; that is, an upper shade 211, a middle shade 212, and a lowershade 213. The upper shade 211 has a red cold cathode tube 211R foremitting red light and a blue cold cathode tube 211B for emitting bluelight; the middle shade 212 has a red cold cathode tube 212R foremitting red light and a blue cold cathode tube 212B for emitting bluelight; and the lower shade 213 has a red cold cathode tube 213R foremitting red light and a blue cold cathode tube 213B for emitting bluelight. Colors of specific symbols can be changed, as required, bycontrolling activation and deactivation of the cold cathode tubes.

[0074] A shading piece 471 is provided at a portion of the left reel R1so as to project from a reel main body. When the left reel R1 spins, theshading piece 471 goes across a photo coupler 472. Here, the structuresof the center reel R2 and the right reel R3 and peripheralconfigurations thereof are identical with those of the left reel R1described in connection with FIG. 2.

[0075]FIG. 3 shows example symbols to be displayed on the left reel R1,those to be displayed on the center reel R2, and those to be displayedon the right reel R3. As illustrated, the symbols are appended symbolnumbers PN=1 to 21. Here, a solid “7” depicts a red “7” (e.g., a symbolappended PN=1 on the left reel), and a hatched “7” depicts a blue “7”(e.g., a symbol appended PN=8 on the center reel). The color of symbol“7” is determined by activation and deactivation of the blue and redcold cathode tubes. The BLUE 7 symbol can be ascertained by the playerwhen the blue cold cathode tube is activated and the red cold cathodetube is deactivated. Similarly, the RED 7 symbol can be ascertained bythe player when the blue cold cathode tube is deactivated and the redcold cathode tube is activated. Further, the symbol “7” becomes whitewhen both the blue and red cold cathode tubes are activated.

[0076] In a play to be performed by the slot machine 1, when apredetermined combination of symbols is aligned with any of the paylinesL1 through L5 that has been made valid by insertion of tokens, tokensare ejected in a number corresponding to the winning combination. Tokensare to be inserted into the slot machine 1 before start of a game.Further, tokens are required for a player to continue playing games. Inshort, tokens can be said to be a medium having a gaming value, such ascontinuation of a game.

[0077] In the following description, from among combinations of symbols,a combination of symbols that would impart gaming values is called a“winning combination,” and a combination of symbols that is worthless iscalled a “failure.” The present embodiment employs the following winningcombinations.

[0078] 1) RED 7 winning combination is a combination of a symbolappended symbol number PN=1 or 10 on the left reel R1, a symbol appendedsymbol number PN=12 or 14 on the center reel R2, and a symbol appendedsymbol number PN=7 on the right reel R3.

[0079] 2) BLUE 7 winning combination is a combination of a symbolappended symbol number PN=14 on the left reel R1, a symbol appendedsymbol number PN=8 or 19 on the center reel R2, and a symbol appendedsymbol number PN=20 on the right reel R3.

[0080] 3) BAR winning combination is a combination of a symbol appendedsymbol number PN=3 or 9 on the left reel R1, a symbol appended symbolnumber PN=4 or 7 on the center reel R2, and a symbol appended symbolnumber PN=12 or 16 on the right reel R3.

[0081] 4) BELL winning combination is a combination of a symbol appendedsymbol number PN=4, 7, 11, 15, or 20 on the left reel R1, a symbolappended symbol number PN=2, 6, 11, 16, or 21 on the center reel R2, anda symbol appended symbol number PN=1, 3, 5, 10, 14, or 18 on the rightreel R3. The BELL winning combination offers a payout of seven tokens.

[0082] 5) WATERMELON winning combination is a combination of a symbolappended symbol number PN=6, 17, or 19 on the left reel R1, a symbolappended symbol number PN=18 on the center reel R2, and a symbolappended symbol number PN=4, 8, 17, or 21 on the right reel R3. TheWATERMELON winning combination offers a payout of 15 tokens.

[0083] 6) CHERRY winning combination is established when any one of thesymbols appended symbol numbers PN=12, 16, and 21 on the left reel R1has stopped at a validated payline of the paylines L1 through L5, andstop positions of the other reels are irrelevant to this combination.The CHERRY winning combination yields a payout of two tokens.

[0084] 7) PLUM winning combination is a combination of a symbol appendedsymbol number PN=2, 5, 8, 13, or 18 on the left reel R1, a symbolappended symbol number PN=1, 5, 10, 13, 15, or 20 on the center reel R2,and a symbol appended symbol number PN=2, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, or 19 on theright reel R3. Even when a PLUM winning combination has beenestablished, tokens are not paid out; however, the player can play areplay game. Here, a replay game means that a player can again play agame without insertion of new tokens.

[0085] Of various kinds of winning combinations, a BELL winningcombination, a WATERMELON winning combination, and a CHERRY winningcombination are generically called small winning combinations. When aBAR winning combination has been established, the gaming status shiftsto a first special gaming status called a regular bonus. In the regularbonus state, the player can play a jackpot game 12 times. A period ofregular bonus expires when the player plays a jackpot game 12 times orachieves a win a maximum of eight times. A jackpot game is played bybetting one token, to thereby make only the center payline L2 valid. Acombination of symbols “PLUM-PLUM-PLUM” is adopted as a combination ofsymbols that would determine a win in a jackpot game. When these symbolsare aligned with the payline L2, the slot machine 1 pays 15 tokens. Inother words, even when a PLUM winning combination is aligned in anordinary playing state, the player is allowed to play only a replaygame. However, when a combination of symbols “PLUM-PLUM-PLUM” is alignedin a jackpot game to be offered during a period of a regular bonus or abig bonus to be described later, the player can be wined a payment of 15tokens. A probability of a combination of symbols “PLUM-PLUM-PLUM”appearing during a jackpot game is set so as to become higher than thatappearing in an ordinary game. In an regular bonus gaming status, ajackpot game which is not available in an ordinary gaming status isprovided. Accordingly, the regular bonus gaming status can be said to beadvantageous to the player as compared with an ordinary gaming status.

[0086] When a win is determined through a BLUE 7 winning combination, agaming status shifts from an ordinary gaming status to a second specialgaming status called a normal big bonus. During the period of big bonus,the player can establish a small winning combination a maximum of 30times, and can play a regular bonus game a maximum of three times. Anormal big bonus game is more advantageous to the player as comparedwith a regular bonus game.

[0087] When a win is determined through a RED 7 winning combination, agaming status shifts from an ordinary gaming status to a third gamingstatus called a super big bonus. The super big bonus differs from anormal big bonus in that a small winning combination is reported. Aswill be described later, in the slot machine 1, when symbols thatconstitute a winning combination for which a win has been determinedthrough internal lottery are aligned with any of the valid paylines L1through L5, a win is determined. For this reason, if the player canascertain a winning combination which has been determined throughinternal lottery, the player can acquire a larger number of tokens.Reporting of a small winning combination means that the kind of awinning combination which has been determined through internal lotteryis reported to the player. Consequently, a super big bonus game is moreadvantageous to the player as compared with a normal big bonus.

[0088] Turning again to FIG. 1, disposed below the display windows 4 a,4 b, and 4 c is an operation section OP in which are arranged varioustypes of operation members to be used by a player for playing games. Theoperation section OP has a token insertion slot 5, a start lever 6, aleft reel stop button 7 a, a center reel stop button 7 b, a right reelstop button 7 c, a credit button 8, and a BET button 15.

[0089] The token insertion slot 5 is provided below the display window 4c and enables insertion of tokens. When one token is inserted, thepayline L1 becomes valid. When two tokens are inserted, the paylines L1through L3 become valid. When three tokens are inserted, the paylines L1through L5 become valid. Moreover, when the player inserts more thanthree tokens, the fourth token and subsequent tokens are saved ascredits in the slot machine 1.

[0090] The BET button 15 is disposed at a lower left position withrespect to the display window 4 a. The player uses the BET button 15 tospecify the number of tokens to be bet in one game. By the playeractuating the BET button 15, stored tokens can be bet without insertionof tokens by way of the token insertion slot 5. Therefore, the paylinesL1 through L5 become valid, as required, by actuation of the BET button15 in accordance with the specified number of tokens. The relationshipbetween the number of tokens specified by actuation of the BET button 15and the paylines L1 through L5 to become valid is identical with thatdetermined in a case where tokens are inserted directly.

[0091] The start lever 6 is disposed below the BET button 15. The startlever 6 is used by the player to instruct start of a game. When theplayer lowers the start lever 6, the reels R1, R2, and R3 start spinningsimultaneously, thereby variably displaying symbols within therespective display windows 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c.

[0092] The left reel stop button 7 a, the center reel stop button 7 b,and the right reel stop button 7 c are provided on the right side of thestart lever 6. The left reel stop button 7 a is used for stopping theleft reel R1 spinning within the display window 4 a; the center reelstop button 7 b is used for stopping the center reel R2 spinning withinthe display window 4 b; and the right reel stop button 7 c is used forstopping the right reel R3 spinning within the display window 4 c.

[0093] A credit button 8 to be used for determining whether to storetokens within the slot machine 1 is provided on the right side of thereel stop button 7 c. When the player actuates the credit button 8, achange between validation of credits or invalidation of credits isenabled. In a predetermined case, tokens are paid to the player by wayof a token payout port 10 a and stored in a token receiver 10.

[0094]FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration including a controller forcontrolling game processing operation in the slot machine 1, and aperipheral device which constitutes the slot machine 1 and is relevantto the invention.

[0095] The controller includes a control board 30 as a primaryconstituent element. The control board 30 has a CPU 31, a clockgenerator 32, a sequence generator 33, RAM 34, ROM 35, a transmissiontiming controller 36, a data transmitter 37, an input port 38, and anoutput port 39.

[0096] The CPU 31 is connected to constituent elements of the controlboard 30 excluding the transmission timing generator 36, by way of a bus(not shown). The CPU 31 controls respective constituent elements byexecuting a control program CP. A manner of activating the overall slotmachine 1 is specified in the control program CP. Therefore, the CPU 31serves as a control center of the slot machine 1. The clock generator 32has an oscillation circuit including a quartz generator, generates areference clock signal CLK of fixed cycle, and supplies the referenceclock signal to the CPU 31 and the sequence generator 33.

[0097] The sequence generator 33 is constituted of a high-speed ringcounter and produces count data CD by counting the reference clocksignal CLK. Depending on contents of a prize group selection table TBL1to be described later, the numerical values of the count data CD assumea range of, e.g., 1 to 60000. The count data CD are supplied to the CPU31 at all times. The CPU 31 senses a timing at which the start lever 6is pressed by the player. The count data CD are sampled at that timing,thereby producing sampling data SD.

[0098] Since the player cannot ascertain the value of the count data CD,the timing at which the player lowers the start lever 6 is random.Consequently, the value of the sampling data SD is also random. Thesequence generator 33 operates in synchronism with the reference clocksignal CLK. Hence, the cycle of the count data CD is very short. Forexample, provided that the reference clock signal CLK has a cycle of 30MHz, a time required for the value of the count data to change from “1”to “60000” is 2 msec. Consequently, even if the player can ascertain thevalue of the count data CD by unauthorized means, the player cannotcause the CPU 31 to produce the sampling data SD having a desired valueby actuation of the start lever 6.

[0099] Next, the RAM 34 serves as a work area of the CPU 31 and stores aresult of processing currently in progress or data or the like preparedas required.

[0100] In addition to the control program CP, a prize group lotterytable TBL1, a stop table group TBL2, and a winning symbol combinationtable TBL3 are stored in the ROM 35. Stored in the winning symbolcombination table TBL3 in an associated manner are combinations ofsymbols that would constitute a winning combination; the numbers oftokens to be paid at the time the winning combinations arise; and a windetermination code representing the winning combination.

[0101] As mentioned above, the winning combinations prepared in the slotmachine 1 according to the embodiment include a RED 7 winningcombination, a BLUE 7 winning combination, a BAR winning combination, aBELL winning combination, a WATERMELON winning combination, a CHERRYwinning combination, and a PLUM winning combination. Establishment ofthe RED 7 winning combination serves as the impetus for shifting agaming status to a super big bonus. Establishment of the BLUE 7 winningcombination serves as the impetus for shifting a gaming status to anormal big bonus. Establishment of the BAR winning combination serves asthe impetus for shifting a gaming status to a regular bonus.

[0102] The gaming values which the player can acquire differ from onekind of small winning combination to another. A control operationcorresponding to a difference in gaming values is required forcontrolling the slot machine 1. Classification of types of winningcombinations according to gaming values is convenient. In the followingdescription, an aggregate of various winning combinations is called aprize group.

[0103] As mentioned above, the RED 7 winning combination (super bigbonus) and the BLUE 7 winning combination (normal big bonus) areidentical with each other in terms of progress in a series of games,exclusive of report of a small winning combination. In the slot machine1 of the embodiment, one prize group is assigned to these winningcombinations. A prize group including the RED 7 winning combination andthe BLUE 7 winning combination is called a big bonus prize. For theremaining winning combinations, prize groups are prepared so as tocorrespond to respective winning combinations. A prize groupcorresponding to the BAR winning combination is called an regular bonusprize; a prize group corresponding to the BELL winning combination iscalled a BELL prize; a prize group corresponding to the WATERMELONwinning combination is called a WATERMELON prize; a prize groupcorresponding to the CHERRY winning combination is called a CHERRYprize; and a prize group corresponding to the PLUM winning combinationis called a REPLAY GAME prize.

[0104] The prize group lottery table TBL1 is used for determining aprize group during internal lottery operation. FIG. 5 shows an exampleof contents of the prize group lottery table TBL1. As illustrated, theprize group lottery table TBL1 stores lottery classification datapertaining to first through seventh memory areas ADR1 through ADR7 ofthe ROM 35. Values of the respective lottery classification data setscorrespond to the sizes of classified segments for the respective prizegroups. For instance, lottery classification data corresponding tofailures are stored in the first memory area ADR1 and assume a value of54000. Lottery classification data corresponding to a big bonus prizeare stored in the seventh memory area ADR7 and assume a value of 300.The internal lottery table TBL1 stores mere numerical values and hencehas a merit of consuming only an extremely small amount of memorycapacity.

[0105] Internal lottery operation comprises the following steps. In afirst step, the CPU 31 reads lottery classification data from the firstmemory area ADR1, adds the thus-read lottery classification data tosampling data SD, and stores a result of addition into the internalregister.

[0106] In a second step, the CPU 31 reads the result of addition fromthe internal register and compares the result with reference data. Here,the value of reference data is equivalent to a total sum of values ofthe respective lottery classification data sets stored in the firstthrough seventh memory areas ADR1 through ADR7.

[0107] In a third step, when the additional value is greater than thevalue of reference data, the CPU 31 determines a prize groupcorresponding to the lottery classification data read immediately beforeor a failure. In the first determination, the lottery classificationdata read immediately before are the data read from the first memoryarea ADR1 and hence correspond to a failure. Consequently, if theadditional value is greater than the value of reference data, a failureis determined in the first determination.

[0108] In a fourth step, when the additional value is less than thevalue of reference data, the CPU 31 reads lottery classification datafrom the second memory area ADR2, adds the thus-read lotteryclassification data to the result of previous addition read from theinternal register, and stores a result of addition again into theinternal register.

[0109] In a fifth step, the CPU 31 reads the result of addition from theinternal register and compares the result with the reference data. Insubsequent steps, processing is iterated until the additional valuebecomes greater than the value of reference data, thereby determining aprize group. Consequently, a relationship between the first samplingdata SD and the prize groups is as shown in FIG. 5. As illustrated,SD=60000 to 6001 corresponds to a failure; SD=6000 to 4201 correspondsto a REPLAY prize; SD=4200 to 3001 corresponds to a CHERRY prize;SD=3000 to 1801 corresponds to a BELL prize; SD=1800 to 901 correspondsto a WATERMELON prize; SD=900 to 301 corresponds to an regular bonusprize; and SD=301 to 1 corresponds to a big bonus prize.

[0110] The CPU 31 produces internal lottery data ISD on the basis of aresult of determination. The internal lottery data ISD are 8-bit data. Afirst bit is allocated to a big bonus prize; a second bit is allocatedto an regular bonus prize; a third bit is allocated to a BELL prize; afourth bit is allocated to a WATERMELON prize; a fifth bit is allocatedto a CHERRY prize; and a sixth bit is allocated to a REPLAY prize. If awin has been determined for any one of the prizes through internalrandom sampling, the CPU 31 sets the digit of a corresponding bit to“1.” When no win has been determined, the digit of a bit is set to “0.”Consequently, it is possible to ascertain whether or not a win has beendetermined or a prize group for which a win has been determined, byreferring to the internal status data ISD.

[0111] Next, the stop table group TBL2 is constituted of a plurality ofstop tables. In the respective stop tables, symbol numbers PN to bedisplayed on the center payline L1 and data pertaining to the number offrames over which reels coast (hereinafter simply called “coasting framedata”) are stored in association with each other. Here, the number offrames over which reels coast means the number of frames over which theleft reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 coast until theycome to a halt from the time the player has pressed the left reel stopbutton 7 a, the time the player has pressed the center reel stop button7 b, and the time the player has pressed the right reel stop button 7 c,respectively.

[0112] Since the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3spin at high speed, even when the player has actuated the stop buttonswhile aiming at specific symbols, the player is required to have a skillfor stopping the reels such that desired symbols are stopped. Learningof actuation of stop buttons involves variations among individualplayers. Particularly, a player having a low level of kinetic visionencounters difficulty in stopping the reels such that desired symbolsappear. In contrast, a player having a high level of kinetic vision canactuate the stop buttons when desired symbols are displayed along apayline.

[0113] However, in order to enable a player having a low level ofkinetic vision to enjoy playing games, alignment of symbols must be madeeasy to a certain extent. In contrast, when the result of internallottery is a failure, there is a necessity for controlling spinning ofthe reels such that no winning combination is established.

[0114] The stop table is used for controlling such spinning actions ofthe reels. Positions at which the left reel R1, the center reel R2, andthe left reel R3 are to be stopped are determined by reference to a stoptable. FIG. 6 shows an example of the stop table. The stop table is forthe left reel R1. The coasting frame data stored in the stop table areset such that symbols BELL are likely to be stopped at a lower paylineL3. For example, a player is assumed to have pressed the left reel stopbutton 7 a at a timing at which a symbol BAR specified by symbol numberPN=9 is displayed along the center payline L1. In this case, when thestop table is referred to on the basis of the symbol number PN=9, thereare selected coasting frame data in which the number of frames overwhich a reel coasts assumes three. Consequently, if spinning of the leftreel R1 is controlled on the basis of the thus-selected coasting framedata, stopping of BELL symbols (symbol number PN=7) at the payline L3will become possible.

[0115] Turning back to FIG. 4, description of the controller will becontinued. The transmission timing controller 36 and the datatransmitter 37 shown in the drawing play the role of transmitting, tothe LCD controller 61, the kind of a winning combination determinedthrough internal lottery and information about a stop table selected inassociation with the winning combination. The LCD controller 61 has aROM in which various types of image data are stored. The LCD controller61 reads image data, as required, and supplies the image data to the LCDdevice 62. The LCD device 62 displays various types of images on thebasis of image data. For example, reporting of a small winningcombination to be performed during the course of a super big bonus gameis performed, by the CPU 31 transmitting internal status data ISD to theLCD controller 61 by way of the data transmitter 37; the LCD controller61 reading image data corresponding to a winning combination instructedby the internal status data ISD from the ROM; and the thus-read imagedata being supplied to a LCD device.

[0116] The input port 38 is an input interface for signals supplied fromvarious types of sensors to be described later. The output port 39 is anoutput interface for supplying a control signal to motors and variousdevices.

[0117] The following are enumerated as primary input signal generatorswhich are connected to the input port 38 and generate various types ofinput signals. An token insertion sensor 41 senses tokens inserted byway of the token insertion slot 5 and produces one output pulse for eachtoken. Consequently, the CPU 31 can sense the number of inserted tokensby counting the output pulses.

[0118] A BET button sensor 42 senses actuation of the BET button 15. Astart lever sensor 43 senses actuation of the start lever 6. A left reelstop button sensor 44 senses actuation of the left reel stop button 7 a;a center reel stop button sensor 45 senses actuation of the center reelstop button 7 b; and a right reel stop button sensor 46 senses actuationof the right reel stop button 7 c. Further, a left reel positiondetector 47 senses the spinning position of the left reel R1 andproduces a detection signal 47 a; a center reel position detector 48senses the spinning position of the center reel R2 and produces adetection signal 48 a; and a right reel position detector 49 senses thespinning position of the center reel R2 and produces a detection signal49 a.

[0119] The left reel position detector 47 has the photo coupler 472shown in FIG. 2, an amplifier, and a comparator. The photo coupler 472has a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section. When thelight-receiving section outputs a received light signal of a levelcorresponding to the quantity of received light, the amplifier amplifiesthe received light signal. The comparator compares the signal outputfrom the amplifier with a predetermined threshold value, therebyproducing the detection signal 47 a. The signal is output as an outputsignal from the left reel position detector 47. When the left reel R1spins, the shading piece 471 shown in FIG. 2 passes through the photocoupler 472 once during the course of one spin. Consequently, thespinning position of the right reel R1 can be sensed by the detectionsignal 47 a. The right position detector reel 49 and the center positionsensor reel 48 are constructed in the same manner as is the left reelposition detector 47.

[0120] Primary members which are connected to the output port 39 andreceive supply of various output signals include a left reel drivingmotor 51, a center reel driving motor 52, a right reel driving motor 53,the left reel illumination unit 21, the center reel illumination unit22, and the right reel illumination unit 23.

[0121] The left reel driving motor 51 drives the left reel R1 so as tospin; the center reel driving motor 52 drives the center reel R2 so asto spin; and the right reel driving motor 53 drives the right reel R3 soas to spin. In the embodiment, the driving motors are constituted ofstepping motors. Consequently, the CPU 31 can correctly determine a stopposition for the left reel R1, that for the center reel R2, and that forthe right reel R3 by adjusting the number of pulses of respective drivesignals 51 a, 52 a, 53 a to be supplied to the left reel driving motor51, the center reel driving motor 52, and the right reel driving motor53, respectively.

[0122] Each of the motors 51, 52, 53 is constructed so as to spin oncein response to 420 pulses. As mentioned above, 21 symbols are formed oneach of the reels R1, R2, and R3. One symbol can be advanced bysupplying 20 pulses to the motor. The CPU 31 counts the number of pulsesto be supplied to the motors 51, 52, and 53. Count results are retainedas position data MD1, MD2, and MD3. Values of the position data MD1,MD2, and MD3 are reset at timings at which the detection signals 47 a,48 a, and 49 a become active.

[0123]FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the relationship between thedetection signal 47 a, the symbol number PN, a drive signal 51 a, andthe position data MD1. As illustrated, when the detection signal 47 arises from a low level to a high level at time t1, the value of theposition data MD1 is reset. At time t1, the shading piece 471 shown inFIG. 2 passes through the photo coupler 472. At this time, in relationto the spinning position of the left reel R1, the symbol assigned symbolnumber PN=1 (RED 7) shown in FIG. 3 is displayed in a middle row of thedisplay window 7 a. In other words, attachment positions of the shadingpiece 471 and the photo coupler 472 are determined such that a symbolappears in the middle row of the display window 7 a.

[0124] During a duration from time t1 to time t2, 20 pulses are suppliedto the left reel driving motor 51 as a drive signal 51 a, and the leftreel driving motor 51 spins the left reel R1 one-twenty-first of arotation. As a result, the symbol assigned symbol number PN=2 (PLUM)shown in FIG. 3 appears in the middle row of the display window 7 a.Symbols are sequentially displayed in the same manner. When time t3 hascome, the left reel R1 spins, and the symbol assigned symbol number PN=1(RED 7) again appears. In this way, the detection signal 47 a, thesymbol number PN, the drive signal 51 a, and the position data MD1 areclosely related to each other. The CPU 31 can detect a displayed stateof a symbol on the basis of the position data MD1.

[0125] On the basis of the position data sets MD2 and MD3, the CPU 31can sense a displayed state of a symbol on the center reel R2 and adisplayed state of a symbol on the right reel R3.

[0126] Control signals for controlling activation and deactivation ofcold cathode tubes constituting the respective reel illumination unitsare supplied to the left reel illumination unit 21, the center reelillumination unit 22, and the right reel illumination unit 23,respectively. A control signal 211 r is used for controllingillumination and extinction of a red cold cathode tube 211R of the leftreel illumination unit 21; a control signal 212 r is used forcontrolling illumination and extinction of a red cold cathode tube 212Rof the left reel illumination unit 21; and a control signal 213 r isused for controlling illumination and extinction of a red cold cathodetube 213R of the left reel illumination unit 21.

[0127] A control signal 211 b is used for controlling illumination andextinction of a blue cold cathode tube 211B of the left reelillumination unit 21; a control signal 212 b is used for controllingextinction and illumination of a blue cold cathode tube 212B of the leftreel illumination unit 21; and a control signal 213 b is used forcontrolling extinction and illumination of a blue cold cathode tube 213Bof the left reel illumination unit 21.

[0128] Moreover, control signals 221 r, 222 r, 223 r are used forcontrolling illumination and extinction of the respective red coldcathode tubes of the center reel illumination unit 22. Control signals221 b, 222 b, 223 b are used for controlling illumination and extinctionof the respective blue cold cathode tubes of the center reelillumination unit 22. Furthermore, control signals 231 r, 232 r, 233 rare used for controlling illumination and extinction of the respectivered cold cathode tubes of the right reel illumination unit 23. Controlsignals 231 b, 232 b, 233 b are used for controlling illumination andextinction of the respective blue cold cathode tubes of the right reelillumination unit 23. Here, the control signals are used for instructingillumination when they are at a high level and extinction when they areat a low level.

[0129] Operation of the slot machine 1A will now be described withreference to FIG. 8.

[0130] In accordance with a detection signal output from the tokeninsertion sensor 41 and that output from the BET button 42, the CPU 31determines whether or not the player has inserted or bet tokens (stepS1). The determination operation is continued until tokens aredetermined to have been inserted or bet.

[0131] When the player has inserted or bet tokens, a result ofdetermination is “YES.” The CPU 31 displays, on the auxiliary displaysection 20, those among the paylines L1 through L5 that have been madevalid, in accordance with the number of inserted tokens or the number oftokens bet through a betting operation (step S2).

[0132] Subsequently, in accordance with a detection signal from thestart lever sensor 43, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the playerhas validly actuated the start lever 6. The determination operation iscontinued until the detection signal output from the start lever sensor43 becomes active (step S3).

[0133] When the detection signal output from the start lever sensor 43becomes active as a result of the player having actuated the start lever6, a result of determination performed in step S3 becomes “YES.” The CPU31 supplies the drive signal to the left reel driving motor 51 so as tostart spinning of the left reel R1, supplies the drive signal to thecenter reel driving motor 52 so as to start spinning of the center reelR2, and supplies the drive signal to the right reel driving motor 53 soas to start spinning of the right reel R3. In accordance with thecontrol program CP, the CPU 31 performs an internal lottery operation(step S4).

[0134] Internal random sampling operation is performed in the followingmanner. First, the CPU 31 samples count data CD at a timing at which adetection signal output from the start lever sensor 43 has becomeactive, to thereby acquire sampling data SD. Second, the CPU 31generates internal status data ISD by reference to the prize grouplottery table TBL1 stored in the ROM 35. For instance, FIG. 5 showscontents stored in the prize group lottery table TBL1. When the value ofthe sampling data SD is assumed to have a value of “150,” the internallottery data SD represent a win for a big bonus prize.

[0135] When the internal lottery operation has been completed, the CPU31 determines whether or not a win has been determined for a big bonusprize, on the basis of the internal status data ISD (step S5).Specifically, if the first bit of the internal status data IDS assumes avalue of “1,” the CPU 31 determines that a win has been determined for abig bonus prize. In contrast, if the first bit assumes a value of “0,”the CPU 31 determines that a win is not determined for the big bonusprize.

[0136] When a result of determination made in step S5 is “YES,” the CPU31 starts extinction processing (step S6). In this case, the CPU 31 setsall the control signals 211 r to 213 r, 211 b to 213 b, 221 r to 223 r,221 b to 223 b, 231 r to 233 r, and 231 b to 233 b to a low level. As aresult, the cold cathode tubes constituting the left reel illuminationunit 21, those constituting the center reel illumination unit 22, andthose constituting the right reel illumination unit 23 are extinguished.Therefore, during a period of time in which the reels R1 through R3 arespinning, the symbols RED 7 and BLUE 7 are displayed in white. In thiscase, even when the player has ascertained spinning of a symbol assumingthe shape of numeral 7, the player cannot identify the color of thatsymbol. Consequently, the symbol RED 7 and the symbol BLUE 7 appear tobe identical, thereby hindering the player from aiming at a moreadvantageous combination of symbols RED 7.

[0137] When a result of determination made in step S5 is “NO,” the CPU31 performs illumination processing (step S7). In this case, the CPU 31sets levels of the respective control signals so that the symbol RED 7can be distinguished from the symbol BLUE 7, on the basis of theposition data MD1 through MD3.

[0138] When a win for a big bonus prize has not been determined throughinternal lottery, the player can ascertain each of the symbols RED 7 andBLUE 7 during the spinning of the reels R1 through R3. When a win for abig bonus prize has been determined through internal lottery, the playercannot ascertain each of the symbols RED 7 and BLUE 7 during spinning ofthe reels R1 through R3. Therefore, the player can ascertain whether ornot a win for a big bonus prize has been determined through internallottery with reference to the color of “7” symbols. In other words, theplayer can be informed of whether or not a win for a big bonus prize hasbeen determined through internal lottery, by the illumination andextinction processing.

[0139] Subsequently, the CPU 31 acquires a button number BN assigned toa currently-pressed reel stop button (step S8). Acquisition of a buttonnumber is performed in accordance with the following procedures. First,the CPU 31 assigns button numbers BN=1, BN=2, and BN=3 to the left reelstop button 7 a, the center reel stop button 7 b, and the right reelstop button 7 c, respectively. Second, the CPU 31 senses a pressedbutton in accordance with a detection signal output from the left reelstop button 44, a detection signal output from the center reel stopbutton 45, and a detection signal output from the right reel stop button46. Third, the CPU 31 stores the button numbers BN corresponding to thedetected buttons into a predetermined memory area of the RAM 34specified by the control program CP.

[0140] Next, in accordance with the internal random sampling data ISDand the button number BN, the CPU 31 selects one stop table from thestop table group TBL2 (step S9).

[0141] Then, the CPU 31 determines stop positions of the reels byreference to the thus-selected stop table (step S10). In the processingfor determining stop positions of the reels, the CPU 31 senses thetimings at which the reel stop buttons 7 a, 7 b, 7 c have been pressed,in accordance with the signals output from the reel stop button sensors44 through 46, thereby acquiring symbol numbers PN assigned to thetimings. The CPU 31 reads coasting frame data by reference to the stoptable in accordance with the symbol number PN, thereby controlling thereel driving motors 51 through 53 such that the reels spin by only thenumber of frames over which the reels are to coast, the number beinginstructed by the data. The reel driving motors 51 through 53 areconstituted of stepping motors, and the CPU 31 imparts, to the reeldriving motors 51 through 53, drive pulses in a number corresponding tothe number of frames over which frames are to coast.

[0142] The CPU 31 performs illumination processing (step S11). Duringthe illumination processing, the CPU 31 first senses whether or not thesymbol RED 7 or BLUE 7 has stopped in any one of the upper row of thedisplay window 4 a, the middle row of the display window 4 b, and thelower row of the display window 4 c or whether or not the symbol RED 7or BLUE 7 has stopped within a display window. Second, the CPU 31 setsthe level of the control signals in accordance with the position wherethe symbol RED 7 or BLUE 7 is stopped. For example, when the symbol RED7 (appended symbol number PN=1 shown in FIG. 3) is assumed to havestopped in the middle row of the display window 4 a, the CPU 31 sets thecontrol signal 212 r to a high level and the control signals 211 r, 213r, 211 b, 212 b, and 213 b to a low level. Accordingly, the CPU 31 canilluminate only the red cold cathode tube 212R from among the coldcathode tubes constituting the left reel illumination unit 21.

[0143] Through the foregoing illumination processing, as shown in FIG.9, the symbol “7” displayed in white during spinning of the reels R1through R3 is changed to either a predetermined red or blue color afterstoppage of the reels R1 through R3.

[0144] Subsequently, a determination is made as to whether or not allreels have stopped (step S12). Processing pertaining to steps S9 throughS12 is repeated until all spinning reels come to a halt. When all reelshave stopped, the CPU 31 repeats processing from step S9 to step S12.When all the reels have come to a halt, the CPU 31 determines whether toproceed processing to step S13. If a win has been determined, a paylinealong which the win has been determined is displayed (step S14).

[0145] Subsequently, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the wincorresponds to a win involving payment of tokens (step S15). If the wincorresponds to the win involving payout of tokens, the CPU 31 controlsindividual sections such that tokens are paid out in a numbercorresponding to the winning combination, by reference to the winningsymbol combination table TBL3 (step S16).

[0146] If the win does not correspond to payout of tokens, the CPU 31omits processing pertaining to step S16 and advances processing to stepS17, thereby determining whether or not there has been achieved a wincorresponding to any one of the bonus games, such as a regular bonus, anormal big bonus, and a super big bonus (step S17). If the wincorresponds to any one of the bonus games, the CPU 31 performspredetermined processing for advancing the bonus game (step S18). Incontrast, if the win does not correspond to any bonus game, the CPU 31determines whether or not the win is a REPLAY game (step S19). If thesymbols that would constitute a winning combination are symbols whichwould constitute a PLUM winning combination, the CPU 31 returnsprocessing to step S2. If the symbols are not symbols which wouldconstitute a PLUM winning combination, a round of processing operationsis terminated.

[0147] As has been described, the slot machine 1 is based on the premisethat occurrence of either a win for a super big bonus or a win for anormal big bonus is left to actuation of the reel stop buttons 7 a, 7 b,and 7 c performed by the player. When a win for a big bonus prize hasbeen determined through internal lottery, symbols that would constitutea super big bonus cannot be distinguished from symbols that wouldconstitute a normal big bonus from colors of the symbols during spinningof the reels R1 through R3, thereby certainly hindering the player fromaiming at a RED 7 winning combination.

[0148] Modified examples of the first embodiment will be describedbelow.

[0149] (1) Even when a win for a big bonus prize has not beendetermined, the cold cathode tubes may be extinguished during spinningof the reels R1 through R3. In this case, the CPU 31 omits processingpertaining to steps S5 through S7 shown in FIG. 8 and performsprocessing pertaining to step S8 immediately after having performedprocessing pertaining to step S4. During a duration between steps S3 andS4, all the cathode tubes are extinguished.

[0150] (2) After a super big bonus or a normal big bonus has beencompleted, the symbol RED 7 and the symbol BLUE 7 may be changed, asrequired. For instance, as in the case of an example 1 shown in FIG. 10,the symbol RED 7 and the symbol BLUE 7 may be interchanged before andafter a change. Alternatively, all symbols “7” may be changed to RED 7,as in the case of an example 2.

[0151] When the symbols RED 7 and BLUE 7 are interchanged, as in thecase of the change example 1, the player 7 encounters more difficulty inaiming at the symbol RED 7 even when having memorized the sequence ofsymbols, because of a change in the sequence of symbols. As in the caseof the change example 2, when all the symbols “7” are changed to RED 7,a gaming status inevitably shifts to a super big bonus if a win for abig bonus prize has been determined through internal lottery, thusgiving the player a great expectation.

[0152] If the color of specific symbol is changed when a certaincondition has been satisfied as mentioned above, a series of changes canbe imparted to the game, thereby affording a variety of presentations tothe player.

[0153] (3) In the foregoing first embodiment, when a win for a big bonusprize has been determined, the cold cathode tubes are extinguished,thereby making it difficult for the player to distinguish the symbol RED7 from the symbol BLUE 7. The symbols RED 7 corresponding to the symbolnumbers PN and the symbols BLUE 7 corresponding to the symbol numbersare fixed. In a slot machine of a modification, the color of symbol “7”is indefinite during spinning of the respective reels. The color of thesymbol “7” is determined in accordance with actuation of the reel stopbuttons 7 a, 7 b, and 7 c performed by the player.

[0154] Specifically, processing for determining stop positions of thereels to be performed in step S10 and illumination processing pertainingto step S11 are performed in the following manners.

[0155] As a first step, the CPU 31 senses timings at which the reel stopbuttons 7 a, 7 b, and 7 c have been pressed, in accordance with signalsoutput from the respective reel stop button sensors 44 through 46,thereby acquiring symbol numbers PN for the respective timings.

[0156] As a second step, the CPU 31 reads coasting frame data byreference to a stop table on the basis of the symbol number PN.

[0157] As a third step, the CPU 31 compares the value of the coastingframe data with a predetermined reference value. When the coasting framedata are smaller than a reference value, the color of symbol “7” is setto a red color. In contrast, when the coasting frame data exceed areference value, the color of symbol “7” is set to a blue color. Forinstance, provided that the maximum value of coasting frame data assumea value of “4” and the reference value assumes a value of “1,” when thecoasting frame data assume a value of 0 to 1, the color of “7” is set tored, whereas, when the coasting frame data assume a value of 2 to 4, thecolor of “7” is set to blue.

[0158] As a fourth step, the CPU 31 controls the reel driving motors 51through 53 such that spinning of the reels is advanced by only thenumber of frames over which the reels are to coast, the number beinginstructed by the coasting frame data.

[0159] As a fifth step, the CPU 31 senses that the symbol “7” is stoppedat a specific one of the upper row of the display window 4 a, the middlerow of the display window 4 b, and the lower row of the display window 4c, on the basis of the position data MD1 through MD3 obtained when thereels have been stopped.

[0160] As a sixth step, the CPU 31 sets the level of the control signalsin accordance with information about the stop position of the symbol “7”and information about the color of symbol “7” acquired in the thirdstep.

[0161] In this modified example, when the value of coasting frame datais small; namely, when the player has actuated reel stop buttons in acomparatively-accurate manner, the color of symbol “7” is changed tored. When the value of coasting frame data is large; namely, when theplayer has actuated reel stop buttons in a comparatively-rough manner,the color of symbol “7” is changed to blue. Accordingly, as the playeractuates the reel stop buttons accurately, acquisition of a super bigbonus becomes more easy. In other words, a gaming value corresponding toskill can be imparted to a player.

[0162] Since the three reel stop buttons 7 a, 7 b, and 7 c are providedon the slot machine 1, the player actuates the stop buttons three timesduring the course of one game. Here, the modification of processing maybe applied to all the stop buttons or to only the first stop processingoperation, in which case second and third processing operations areperformed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0163] When the color of the symbol “7” is changed in accordance withthe value of coasting frame data, occurrence of a small winningcombination through internal lottery can be indirectly reported to theplayer. When a small winning combination has been determined, the CPU 31selects a stop table in which symbols that would constitute the smallwinning combination for which a win has been determined are easilyaligned. For instance, when the color of symbol “7” has been changed toblue as a result of first reel stop processing, a draw-in controloperation corresponding to internal lottery is expected to be performed.The probability is high that a win has already been determined to asmall winning combination. In such a case, the player predictsoccurrence of a win for a small winning combination and can actuate thesecond and third reel stop buttons in light of this knowledge.

[0164] In the first embodiment, the cathode tubes are extinguished atall times during spinning of the reels R1 through R3. Only when a winfor a big bonus prize has already been determined through internallottery, the color of the symbol “7” may be changed after stoppage ofthe reels. In this case, the player can ascertain occurrence of a winfor a big bonus prize through internal lottery on the basis of whetherthe symbol “7” is illuminated or remains extinguished.

[0165] In addition, even when a win for a big bonus prize has not yetbeen determined, the color of symbol “7” may be changed when a firstreel has come to a halt at a certain probability. In this case, theplayer can be given an expectation for occurrence of a win for a bigbonus prize through internal lottery.

[0166] (4) The type of RED 7 winning combination (super big bonus) orBLUE 7 winning combination (normal big bonus) may be determined byoffering a sub-game utilizing a change in the color of the symbol “7”after the reels have come to a halt.

[0167] One of the related-art slot machines determines whether toproceed to a super big bonus or a normal big bonus, depending on aresult of a sub-game, by offering the sub-game after a win for a bigbonus prize has been determined.

[0168] However, this type of slot machine has a drawback of a necessityfor an additional special display device for offering a sub-game. Forthis reason, the configuration of the slot machine becomes complicatedand leads to a hike in the costs of the slot machine.

[0169] After symbols “7” have been aligned, the slot machine of themodification illuminates the red cathode lamps and the blue cathodelamps alternately. When the player has actuated any one of the reel stopbuttons, the slot machine fixes the color of illumination to the colorof timing at which actuation is to be performed. When the playeractuates the reel stop buttons at the time of color, a RED 7 winningcombination is established, whereby a gaming status proceeds to a superbig bonus. In contrast, when the player has actuated the reel stopbuttons at the timing of blue color, a BLUE 7 winning combination isestablished, and the gaming status proceeds to a normal big bonus.

[0170] As a result, a necessity for a device for sub-game purpose can beobviated. Further, a sub-game is for determining the color of a symbol.Hence, a target for which the player is required to actuate the reelstop buttons becomes clear.

[0171] (5) In the first embodiment, when a win for a big bonus prize hasbeen determined, the cold cathode tubes are extinguished, therebyhindering the player from distinguishing the symbol RED 7 from thesymbol BLUE 7. After spinning of the reels has been completed, the colorof the symbol “7” is displayed, thereby distinguishing a super big bonusfrom a normal big bonus.

[0172] The big bonus game includes three regular bonus games. Even whensymbols corresponding to a big bonus prize have been aligned during aperiod of big bonus, a mere 15 tokens are paid out. Therefore, symbolscorresponding to a big bonus prize do not need to be displayed during aperiod of big bonus.

[0173] Here, symbols corresponding to a big bonus and symbolscorresponding to a regular bonus are set so as to assume identicalshapes but different colors. During a big bonus, symbols may bedisplayed so as to assume the same color as that assumed in a regularbonus.

[0174]FIG. 11 shows a relationship between prize groups, winningcombinations, and gaming values. In a slot machine of this embodiment,symbols provided on reels do not include any symbols BAR. In an ordinarygame, cold cathode tubes are extinguished so as not to display the colorof symbol “7.” During a period of big bonus, the blue cold cathode tubesare illuminated at all times, and the red cold cathode tubes areextinguished at all times. As a result, all the symbols “7” can behandled as BLUE 7 during a period of big bonus.

[0175] In the slot machine of the first embodiment, after stoppage ofthe reels, the color of symbols “7” is displayed, thereby informing theplayer of whether to proceed to a normal big bonus or a super big bonus.In a slot machine of the second embodiment, in addition to a change inthe color of symbols “7,” the color of symbols PLUM is also changedduring a jackpot game.

[0176] A difference between the slot machine of the second embodimentand the slot machine of the first embodiment will now be described.

[0177] The slot machine of the second embodiment differs from that ofthe first embodiment in terms of the structure of the left reel R1, thatof the center reel R2, and that of the right reel R3. More specifically,the irregular member P for scattering light is provided in place of theshading film S on the back surfaces of the respective reels R1 throughR3 for the symbols “PLUM” as well as for the symbols “7.” Consequently,when the red cold cathode tubes are illuminated, the symbols “PLUM” aredisplayed in red. When the blue cold cathode tubes are illuminated, thesymbols “PLUM” are displayed in blue.

[0178] In the slot machine of the second embodiment, a prize grouplottery table TBL1′ shown in FIG. 12 is used in place of the prize grouplottery table TBL1 of the first embodiment. The prize group lotterytable TBL1′ has lottery classification data corresponding to a singlebonus prize. When a win for a single bonus prize has been determined,the player acquires a single bonus, so that the foregoing jackpot gameis provided once.

[0179]FIG. 13 shows a relationship between the prize groups, the winningcombinations, and the gaming values. In the slot machine of thisembodiment, when symbols “BAR-BAR-BAR” have been aligned, a win for asingle bonus prize is determined. The CPU 31 produces the controlsignals 211 r to 213 r, 221 r to 223 r, 231 r to 233 r, 211 b to 213 b,221 b to 223 b, and 231 b to 233 b such that the symbols “PLUM” assume ablue color during a period other than the period of a jackpot game for asingle bonus.

[0180] The CPU 31 produces the control signals 211 r to 213 r, 221 r to223 r, 231 r to 233 r, 211 b to 213 b, 221 b to 223 b, and 231 b to 233b such that the color of the symbols “PLUM” is switched between a bluecolor and a red color during a period other than the period of a jackpotgame for a single bonus.

[0181] For instance, the symbols “PLUM” on the left reel R1 assume ablue color during an ordinary game shown in FIG. 14. However, in ajackpot game, the symbols “PLUM” appended symbol numbers PN=2, 8, 18 aredisplayed in blue, and the symbols “PLUM” appended symbol numbers PN=5,13 are displayed in red.

[0182] In a jackpot game for a single bonus, when symbols RED PLUM cometo a halt at a payline, the number of assist time games is determined inaccordance with the number of symbols. The assist time game is performedafter completion of the jackpot game. When a small winning combinationhas been established, that winning combination for which a win has beendetermined is reported to the player.

[0183] Next, operation of the slot machine to be performed during ajackpot game for a single bonus will be described by reference to FIG.15. The CPU 31 determines whether or not a current jackpot game is ajackpot game for a single bonus (step SB1). If this is true, the leftreel illumination unit 21, the center reel illumination unit 22, and theright reel illumination unit 23 are controlled such that the color ofsymbols “PLUM” is alternately changed between a blue color and a redcolor. As a result, the symbols “PLUM” are displayed in the respectivedisplay windows 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c while changing color. In a state inwhich the reels R1 through R3 are stationary, because the number of REDPLUMs is larger, a greater gaming value is imparted. Hence, the playeractuates the reel stop buttons 7 a, 7 b, and 7 c while aiming at the REDPLUMs.

[0184] Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not all the reels R1through R3 have come to a halt (step SB3). After all the reels R1through R3 have come to a halt, count data representing the number ofRED PLUMs are acquired (step SB4).

[0185] Subsequently, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the number ofRED PLUMs is “0,” on the basis of the count data (step SB5). If thenumber of RED PLUMs is “0,” the number of assist time games is set to“0” (step SB6).

[0186] If the number of RED PLUMs is not “0,” the CPU 31 proceedsprocessing to step SB7, thereby making a determination as to whether ornot the number of RED PLUMs is “1.” If the number of RED PLUMs is “1,”the CPU 31 sets the number of assist time games to “30” (step SB8). Ifthe number of RED PLUMs is not “1,” the CPU 31 proceeds processing tostep SB9. In step SB9, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the numberof RED PLUMs is “2.” If the number of RED PLUMs is “2,” the number ofassist time games is set to “100.” In contrast, if the number of REDPLUMs is not “2,” the number of assist time games is set to “300.” Aftercompletion of a jackpot game, the CPU 31 executes an assist time game ina number corresponding a preset number (step SB12) and terminatesprocessing.

[0187] Of the symbols provided on the respective reels R1 through R3,the symbols PLUM are provided in highest number. If the symbols PLUM arecombined with a draw-in control operation, a symbol PLUM can be stoppedwithout a pinpoint stopping action even when the player performs a stopoperation at arbitrary timing. In other words, the player can acquire awin in a jackpot game without regard to his/her level of skill. For thisreason, a jackpot game offered by a related-art slot machine ismonotonous. In contrast, the slot machine of the embodiment has REDPLUMs, thereby enabling the player to acquire higher gaming values. Forthis reason, the player actuates the reel stop buttons 7 a, 7 b, and 7 cwhile aiming at RED PLUMs. Consequently, the slot machine of theembodiment adopts a new element, such as a color-targeted pinpointstopping action, thereby imparting a great entertainment characteristicto the jackpot game for a single bonus.

[0188] In a jackpot game to be performed during a big bonus game,processing analogous to that performed for the previously-describedjackpot game in a single bonus is performed. When symbols that wouldconstitute winning combinations include RED PLUMs, it may be the casethat a win for a jackpot game is not determined, and payment of 15tokens is not performed. Further, if a win for a single bonus prize hasbeen determined during the course of an assist time game and the playerhas also acquired the right to play an assist time game during a jackpotgame provided as a reward for the win, the number of assist time gamesmay be accumulated.

[0189] As has been described, the invention has been described inconnection with the most practical and preferable configuration as ofnow. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments describedin the specification and susceptible to modifications, as required,within the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from claimsand the entire specification. Slot machines involving such modificationsmust also be construed as falling within the technical scope of theinvention.

[0190] As has been described, according to the invention, there can beprovided a slot machine which hinders a player from distinguishing thecolors of specific symbols from among symbols provided on reels duringspinning of the reels.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reel-type slot machine, comprising: a pluralityof reels, each having an outer peripheral face and an inner peripheralface; a plural kinds of symbols, provided on the outer peripheral faceof each of the reels, the symbols including at least one group ofspecial symbols having identical shapes and different colors; anilluminator, which selectively emits at least one of plural colors oflight to illuminate the inner peripheral face of at least one of thereels; and a controller, which spins and stops the reels whilecontrolling the illuminator such that the colors of the special symbolsare not ascertained by a player when the at least one reel is spun, andeach of the special symbols are illuminated with one of the pluralcolors of light pursuant to a predetermined rule, when the at least onereel is stopped.
 2. The slot machine as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe group of special symbols includes at least a first kind of symbolrelated to a first type of winning combination and a second kind ofsymbol related to a second type of winning combination.
 3. The slotmachine as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the group of special symbolsincludes a first symbol illuminated with a first color of light and asecond symbol illuminated with a second color of light; the controllershifts a gaming status of the slot machine from a first, basic gamingstatus to a second gaming status which provides higher gaming value thanthe first gaming status, when a winning combination involves the firstsymbol; and the controller shifts the gaming status of the slot machinefrom the first gaming status to a third gaming status which provideshigher gaming value than the second gaming status, when a winningcombination involves the second symbol.
 4. The slot machine as set forthin claim 1, wherein: a position of each of the special symbols on the atleast one reel is predetermined before the at least one reel is spun;the predetermined rule defines a relationship between a stop position ofthe at least one reel and a color of light emitted by the illuminator;and the controller detects the stop position of the at least one reel tocontrol the illuminator with reference to the predetermined rule.
 5. Theslot machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller changes aposition of at least one of the special symbols on the at least onereel, when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
 6. The slot machineas set forth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stoppers,each associated with one of the reels, through which a player inputs aninstruction to stop an associated one of the reels, wherein: thepredetermined rule defines a relationship between a position of the atleast one reel when the instruction is inputted and a color of lightemitted by the illuminator; and the controller detects the position ofthe at least one reel when the instruction is inputted to control theilluminator with reference to the predetermined rule.
 7. The slotmachine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a spin starter,through which a player inputs an instruction to spin the reels; and arandom number selector, which determines one of a plurality of lotteryresults including at least one special lottery result corresponding tothe special symbols, based on a timing at which the instruction isinputted through the spin starter, to generate internal informationindicating the determined one of the lottery results, wherein thecontroller activates the illuminator after the at least one reel isstopped, only when the internal information indicates that thedetermined one of the lottery result is the special lottery result. 8.The slot machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a spinstarter, through which a player inputs an instruction to spin the reels;a random number selector, which determines one of a plurality of lotteryresults including at least one special lottery result corresponding tothe special symbols, based on a timing at which the instruction isinputted through the spin starter, to generate internal informationindicating the determined one of the lottery results; and a plurality ofstoppers, each associated with one of the reels, through which theplayer inputs an instruction to stop an associated one of the reels,wherein the controller controls the illuminator so as to subsequentlyemit the colors of light corresponding to the special symbols when theinternal information indicates the determined one of the lottery resultis the special lottery result, and controls the illuminator so as todetermine one of the colors of light when the instruction is inputtedthrough one of the stopper associated with the at least one reel.
 9. Theslot machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the controller provides agaming value corresponding to one of the special symbols illuminated bythe determined one of the colors of light.
 10. The slot machine as setforth in claim 1, wherein the controller deactivates the illuminatorwhile the reels are spun.
 11. The slot machine as set forth in claim 1,wherein the controller controls the illuminator so as to illuminate atleast one of the special symbols with a color of light which isdifferent from an original color of the at least one of the specialsymbols.
 12. The slot machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein thecontroller controls the illuminator so as to emit at least one of thecolors of light intermittently.
 13. The slot machine as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the controller provides a gaming value corresponding toone of the special symbols illuminated by the determined one of thecolors of light.
 14. A reel-type slot machine, comprising: a pluralityof reels, each having an outer peripheral face and an inner peripheralface; a plural kinds of symbols, provided on the outer peripheral faceof each of the reels, the symbols including a first special symbolhaving a first color and a second special symbol having a second color;an illuminator, which selectively emits at least one of plural colors oflight to illuminate the inner peripheral face of at least one of thereels; and a controller, which shifts a gaming status of the slotmachine from a first, basic gaming status to a second gaming statuswhich provides higher gaming value than the first gaming status, when awinning combination involves the first symbol, and shifts the gamingstatus from the first gaming status to a third gaming status whichprovides higher gaming value than the second gaming status, when awinning combination involves the second symbol, wherein the controllercontrols the illuminator so as to emit the first color of light suchthat each of the special symbols becomes the first special symbol.
 15. Areel-type slot machine, comprising: a plurality of reels, each having anouter peripheral face and an inner peripheral face; a plural kinds ofsymbols, provided on the outer peripheral face of each of the reels, thesymbols including a plurality kinds of special symbols; an illuminator,which selectively emits at least a first color of light and a secondcolor of light; and a controller, which controls the illuminator so asto emit one of the first color of light and the second color of lightwhile the reels are spun under a basic gaming status, and controls theilluminator so as to illuminate a first group of the special symbolswith the first color of light and illuminate a second group of thespecial symbols with the second color of light while the reels are spununder a special gaming status shifted from the basic gaming status whena predetermined condition is satisfied.
 16. The slot machine as setforth in claim 15, wherein the controller provides a gaming value to aplayer, in accordance with the number of the first group of the specialsymbols aligned on a predetermined pay line when the reels are stoppedunder the special gaming status.